It was said of George Whitefield, that he woke-up every morning at 4:00am for personal prayer-time. As 10:00pm approached he would say to everyone in his home, “Come, gentleman, it’s time for all good folks to be at home.” Doesn’t that sound a little rude? Why would he say something like that? Because if he stays up too late he wouldn’t be able to wake up early to seek God, (nor would he have been a fire brand to kindle The Great Awakening). According to Deuteronomy 4:24…

God is a “jealous God”.

And if He’s jealous to have your heart, then you and I ought to be jealous about guarding that time, and not letting anyone, (or anything), steal that time with our First Love, who’s name is, Jesus.

Below are some points that I’ve developed for an effective Prayer-Time/Quiet-Time. Avoid the tendency to check e-mail, or Facebook, etc. Get a plan and watch how much your relationship with God will grow.

1. Make a “Prayer Time” CD.

2. Plan ahead & find a “Prayer Closet” where you can be alone.

3. Know in advance where you’re going to read in the Word.

4. Get a Prayer Journal and write down what the Holy Spirit is giving you.

5. Use Rhema Cards to get your prayer time started with faith.

6. Then move into a time of Thanksgiving.

7. Lift your hands in praise & adoration to the Lord.

8. Then begin to pray The Lord’s Prayer.

9. Avoid sleepiness by pacing & praying.

10. Takethe last 5 minutes of your Quiet Time to thank, worship, and praise God.

Do have struggles in your Quiet-Time, or secrets that have helped you? Leave a comment below.

Bob Dylan sang, “The times, they are ‘a changing” . Road rage, profanity on TV, people shouting at their co-workers, marriages imploding only after 6 months… we sure are living in different day. Whatever happened to knowing how to control your emotions?

“Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.” [Psalm 50:23 NKJV]

At times our conduct can be like an unchained dog – no one knows how we’re going to react (or attack), and sometimes we even bite! Proverbs 16:32 says, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city”. [NKJV]. Our conduct is a reflection of our spirit man. For many people, their lives are spinning out of control – there’s no order. In fact it’s down right chaotic. We need to learn to “rule” our spirit, and “order” our conduct. No, you’re NOT going to lash-out in this situation!” Order that conduct of yours! Don’t let it off the leash.

Conduct, emotions, words, feelings, mannerisms, responses, e-mails, and conversations MUST be held at bay, and ought not to be left to a “whatever” mentality. We simply can’t afford to let our flesh run wild.

How can I control it? How can I command my conduct? “Praise glorifies Me.” Notice it didn’t say, “Silent grumpiness glorifies Me.” Isaiah 61:3 says that God will give you a “spirit of praise” in exchange for your “spirit of heaviness”. That’s not a bad deal, if you ask me. Do I really want to “see the salvation of God” – in me, on the job, in the car, in my family? Then I MUST command my conduct. Let’s get it in order and start to set some boundaries. Let’s get rid of the “spirit of heaviness”, and start praising God on a daily basis. Your days will take on a whole new excitement if you do.